LIFE Project Application Seminar

Transcription

1 LIFE Project Application Seminar From traditional LIFE proposal to concept note: what is needed for good concept note? Vilnius 11 December 2017 Henrik Toremark

2 Today s agenda A bit of repetition Introduction to the two-stage proposal Evaluation and content of concept note Conclusions and discussion Feel free to ask questions at any time! The following presentation is based on the information at hand at this stage the approach might be more ambitious than actually required. With the final documents being published in spring, the exact way forward will be known. 2

3 Some good old truths that can be easily forgotten Do not underestimate the application procedure start at least three months before deadline Involve relevant partners at an early stage Use an external eye for reviewing the one-step proposal Avoid large infrastructure and (non-applied) research Explain to an idiot short simple sentences and coherent technical wording Keep it objective definitions and motivations of assumptions are key Assign ONE application manager (110%) Coordinate frequently Request massive input but write extremely short and concise descriptions Invest time in budget considerations value for money assessment Changes in partners from Step 1 to 2 usually OK, in budget not OK 3

4 Simplified application More complex projects Environment and climate action Social integration or economic growth Bonus in full application 4

5 The first thing to ask yourself do you really know where the shoe is hurting? Environmental problem? Challenges in your specific context geographical, ecological, socio-economic? What was done - how does the project add value? Baseline data available? Transnational character? Are there alternative funding sources? Problem needs research Horizon 2020? Solutions exist but no exploitation ERDF? 5

6 The trinity of LIFE is your project fit for LIFE? Environmental problem thematic priorities? Application guide Technological readiness Evaluation guide Exploitation of results Connection to context 6

7 Environmental focus Budget Content Concept note Consortium and partner information Sustainability of results Constraints and contingencies 8

8 The proposals are ranked and are thus competing Concept note Full application Review phase All concept notes ranked and the top-ranked proposals with budgets equivalent times the total budget are invited to prepare full application Indicatively percent of proposals selected for financing 9

9 20 (5) OVERALL QUALITY OF PROPOSAL Clarity pre-operational context and logic Feasibility and value for money 30 (10) OVERALL EU ADDED VALUE Contribution to LIFE prioritites Expected impacts Sustainability of results 10

10 The actual content of the Concept Note is therefore rather extensive Project summary: objective, activities, results and impact Contribution to LIFE prioritites and LIFE performance indicators Environmental problem and pre-operational context Risk analysis and contingency plan Sustainability strategy of results in ten pages! On top of this: Partner contact information will be included in the administrative forms Budget separated into budget categories (staff, travel, external expertise, depreciation for equipment etc.) 11

11 Example case: wastewater treatment plant by the Baltic Sea DEMONSTRATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR PHOSPHOROUS RECOVERY Tested in pilot scale in Germany, never in Lithuania Decreased level of phosphorous in discharged water, with less chemicals used Produces a natural fertiliser pure from metals, pharmaceuticals and micro-platstics (unlike sludge) Cooperation with farmer(s) 12 SOURCE:

12 Example case: wastewater treatment plant by the Baltic Sea Wastewater Less chemicals LIFE equipment Hydrolysis Reactor Effluent with less P Less chemical sludge Fertiliser for sale 13

13 Unfortunately the what, how, where, when and why:s are still required to create the logical structure and prove feasibility Let every partner provide clear descriptions and motivations to the selection of Actions: 1. What activities do you plan to implement? 2. How do you intend to implement the Action? 3. Where will the Action be carried out? 4. When is the Action to be carried out? 5. Why is the Action carried out? Define and motivate your assumptions! But the follow-up questions are fewer: 1. On which basis has the responsible partner selected the measures or technology? 2. Will the measures or technology remain after the project? 3. Are the measures or technology possible to disseminate in the country and EU? 60

14 To achieve clarity in the concept note use a table of intervention logic Targeted environmental problem Thematic priority Overall objective: Specific objectives Project results Project performance indicators Actions and means 15

15 Targeted environmental problem Thematic priority Overall objective: Specific objectives Deterioration of maritime ecosystems through eutrophication Complex: Does the phosphorous harm to other ecosystems? Complex: Does the phosphorous recovery provide other benefits? Water -> Water industry -> Projects aiming at developing technologies for drinking water and urban waste water treatment systems, through the use of resource efficient processes for the provision of water services Develop phosphorous extraction for efficient recovery of nutrients and simultaneously strenghten the downstream eco-systems Demonstrate a new phosphorous recovery reactor that produces a pure fertiliser product Enhance knowledge on application of phosphorous recovery and its positive effects on maritime eco-systems Project results Decreased discharge of nutrients to the maritime ecosystems Tested demonstration facility for production of a pure fertiliser Project performance indicators Actions and means Reduced resource consumption (raw materials tons / year) Awareness raising (number of entities/individuals reached/ made aware)

16 Targeted environmental problem Thematic priority Overall objective: Specific objectives Deterioration of maritime ecosystems through eutrophication Complex: Does the phosphorous harm to other ecosystems? Complex: Does the phosphorous recovery provide other benefits? Water -> Water industry -> Projects aiming at developing technologies for drinking water and urban waste water treatment systems, through the use of resource efficient processes for the provision of water services Develop phosphorous extraction for efficient recovery of nutrients and simultaneously strenghten the downstream eco-systems Demonstrate a new phosphorous recovery reactor that produces a pure fertiliser product Enhance knowledge on application of phosphorous recovery and its positive effects on maritime eco-systems Project results Decreased discharge of nutrients to the maritime ecosystems Tested demonstration facility for production of a pure fertiliser Project performance indicators Actions and means Improved Water Quality (m3/year) 1) Permit procedure 2) Construction of demo-unit 3) Monitoring of effluent and fertiliser quality Awareness raising (number of entities/individuals reached/ made aware) 1) Reflective learning 2) End-user cooperation with farmers 3) Scientific conference

17 The logical structure should be used to provide a clear overview of the setup and credibility of the project Targeted environmental problem Thematic priority: Overall objective: Specific objectives Project results Achievements Deterioration of maritime ecosystems Do the pharmaceuticals do harm to other ecosystems? Does the ozon treatment provide other benefits? Eliminating other pollutants? Water -> Water industry -> onsite procedures and control processes to diminish and eliminate discharges of emerging pollutants and pathogenes (p.23) Develop energy-efficient ozon treatment for removalof pharmaceuticalsand simultaneouslystrenghten the downstream eco-systems Demonstrate ozone treatment of waste-water that uses spectrometers for dosage Demonstration of one spectro-ozonation facility in X-town Enhance knowledge on applicationof energy-efficient technology to removepharmaceuticalsand its positive effects on maritime eco-systems An energy-efficient method to eliminate pharmaceuticals Communication framework in place to i) raise awareness on pharmaceuticals impact on maritime ecosystems and methods to mitigate it; ii) present and discuss spectro-ozonation technology among key stakeholders and the public; iii) facilitate institutionalisationof produced method Outputs (product) Project performance indicators 1. Project objectives One spectro-ozonation facility eliminating pharmaceuticals emissions Improved environmental and climate performance Reducation of dangerous substances, sustance X (pharamaceutical) 50 kilogram per year (120 kilogram, 3 years) Improved water quality, annual flow through plant 2,500,000 m3 per year (5,000,000 m3 per year after 3 years) 1 Communication plan, 1 Communication package, 1 webpage, 4 workshops, 3 public meetings Communication, dissemination and awareness awareness raising, number of individuals/entities reached/made aware 10,000 individuals/entities List all objectives in priority order clear, realistic and linked to environmental problem and should be: Development of innovative policy approaches, technologies, methodologies and instruments Contribution to knowlege-base and development, assessment and evaluation of environmental policy 2. Actions Briefly explain key Action(s) and clarify link between objectives and actions 3. Expected results (keep track on Key Project Indicators and Performance indicators) Expected results linkage to environmental problem and Actions 63

18 Environmental problem and pre-operational context Pre-operational context difficulties, threats, preparatory actions status and relevant research/pilots, authorisations, permits quantify as much as possible Context of strategies, guidelines, legislations of EU and national character and how it does contribute Environmental problem how does the shoe hurt? Focus on specific context Baseline data should be available Transnational character of problem 65

19 (10) This Regulation should also provide a framework for cooperation with and for providing support to relevant international organisations with a view to responding to environmental and climate policy needs that do not fall within the scope of external action financial instruments, such as certain studies. (11) Environmental and climate requirements should be integrated into the Union's policies and activities. The LIFE Programme should therefore be complementary to other Union funding programmes, including the European Regional Development Fund (9), the European Social Fund (10), the Cohesion Fund (11), the European Agriculture Guarantee Fund (12), the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (13), the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, and Horizon The Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (14) ("Horizon 2020"). The Commission and Member States should ensure such complementarity at all levels. At Union level, complementarity should be ensured by establishing structured cooperation between the LIFE Programme and the shared-management Union funding programmes in the Common Strategic Framework, established by Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council (EU) No 1303/2013 (15) ("Common Provisions Regulation"), in particular in order to promote funding of activities that complement integrated projects or support the use of solutions, methods and approaches developed under the LIFE Programme. The LIFE Programme should also encourage the uptake of the results of environmental and climate-related research and innovation of Horizon Within this context it should offer co-financing opportunities for projects with clear environmental and climate benefits in order to ensure synergies between the LIFE Programme and Horizon Coordination is required to prevent double funding. The Commission should take steps to prevent overlap and additional administrative burden on project beneficiaries arising from reporting obligations from different financial instruments. To ensure clarity and the practical feasibility of integrated projects under the LIFE Programme, potential arrangements for cooperation should be laid down at an early stage. Member States should envisage referring to such arrangements in their Partnership Agreements to ensure that advantages of integrated projects can be taken into account during the drawing-up of operational or rural development programmes. (12) Halting and reversing the loss of biodiversity and improving resource efficiency, together with addressing environment and health-related concerns, remain key challenges for the Union. These challenges require increased efforts at Union level to provide solutions and best practices that help to achieve the targets of the Commission Communication of 3 March 2010 entitled "Europe 2020: a strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth" (the "Europe 2020 Strategy"). In addition, improved governance, in particular through awareness raising and stakeholder involvement, is essential to deliver environmental objectives. Therefore the sub-programme for Environment should have three priority areas for action: Environment and Resource Efficiency, Nature and Biodiversity, and Environmental Governance and Information. It should be possible for projects financed by the LIFE Programme to contribute to the achievement of the specific objectives of more than one of those priority areas and to involve the participation of more than one Member State. The word list summarise relevant things to a sentence or two (14) Specific objectives for the priority area Climate Change Mitigation With a view to contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the priority area Climate Change Mitigation shall in particular have the following specific objectives: to contribute to the implementation and development of Union policy and legislation on climate change mitigation, including mainstreaming across policy areas, in particular by developing, testing and demonstrating policy or management approaches, best practices and solutions for climate change mitigation; to improve the knowledge base for the development, assessment, monitoring, evaluation and implementation of effective climate change mitigation actions and measures and to enhance the capacity to apply that knowledge in practice; to facilitate the development and implementation of integrated approaches, such as for climate change mitigation strategies and action plans, at local, regional or national level; to contribute to the development and demonstration of innovative climate change mitigation technologies, systems, methods and instruments that are suitable for being replicated, transferred or mainstreamed. (15) Specific objectives for the priority area Climate Change Adaptation With a view to contributing to supporting efforts leading to increased resilience to climate change, the priority area Climate Change Adaptation shall in particular have the following specific objectives: to contribute to the development and implementation of Union policy on climate change adaptation, including mainstreaming across policy areas, in particular by developing, testing and demonstrating policy or management approaches, best practices and solutions for climate change adaptation, including, where appropriate, ecosystem-based approaches; to improve the knowledge base for the development, assessment, monitoring, evaluation and implementation of effective climate change adaptation actions and measures, prioritising, where appropriate, those applying an ecosystem-based approach, and to enhance the capacity to apply that knowledge in practice; to facilitate the development and implementation of integrated approaches, such as for climate change adaptation strategies and action plans, at local, regional or national level, prioritising, where appropriate, ecosystem-based approaches; to contribute to the development and demonstration of innovative climate change adaptation technologies, systems, methods and instruments that are suitable for being replicated, transferred or mainstreamed. (16) Specific objectives for the priority area Climate Governance and Information The specific objectives of the priority area Climate Governance and Information shall in particular be: to promote awareness raising on climate matters, including generating public and stakeholder support of Union policy-making in the field of the climate, and to promote knowledge on sustainable development; to support communication, management, and dissemination of information in the field of the climate and to facilitate knowledge sharing on successful climate solutions and practice, including by developing cooperation platforms among stakeholders and training; to promote and contribute to more effective compliance with and enforcement of Union climate legislation, in particular by promoting the development and dissemination of best practices and policy approaches; to promote better climate governance by broadening stakeholder involvement, including NGOs, in consultation on and implementation of policy.

20 Brief presentation of how the project is in line with the LIFE programme 1. LIFE Regulation 2. Key Project Indicators 3. Priority area EU regulation references 4. Project topics ( ) in line with directive 2000/60/EG of establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy ( ) by being concerned with the quality of the waters and contribute to the aims of maintaining and improving the aquatic environment ( ) contributes to LIFE Environment and Resource Efficiency under the thematic priorities for Water ( ) ensuring the safe and efficient use of water and other resources, improving quantitative water management ( ) focuses on the thematic priority of Water Industry by contributing to the development of technologies for wastewater treatment through resource-efficient water management processes and procedures to reduce effluent levels of emerging pollutants.

21 The project makes a number of assumptions in its project logic what if the assumptions are wrong and outcomes change? Barrier Risk Probability Impact Contingent measures Description Severity if occured Expectancy to occur Delay in permit procedures Risk * Probability Measure to mitigate barriers 1-10 (1=low) 1-10 (1=low) 6*2 = 12 Explained in brief text 1. Explain prior activities to mitigate risks (stakeholder, authorities dialogue) in text form 2. Identify major risks and divide into risk categories, e.g.: Legal be thorough (delay/refusal of permits, authorisations, Environmental Impact Assessments) Technical/environmental e.g. prototype does not work Financial/process e.g. financial contributor pulls out and outline in a table (see above)

22 Sustainability is the capacity to maintain project results in relevant context in medium and long-term without project funding Funding Public maintainence spending Private risk funding for commerical product EU funding for improvement Strategy Introducing a forcing framework Upscaling the business case Income Solution is making profit Solution is making savings 23

23 Close-to-market approach is a good tool to ensure sustainability by mentioning that the following will be taken into consideration Full definition of the proposed business model as well as of the organizational, ownership and partnership structure for market launch of the proposed solution Investment analysis/studies/activities related to full industrial/commercial scale up of the proposed solution and of its economic feasibility Market/competitor analysis in light of market launch Marketing plan, distribution channels, commercial and business development activities/studies Studies/activities regarding the access to financing sources as well as the physical identification of sites for full commercialization/industrialization Credible business plan

24 Conclusion and discussion points Start on time Ask for help and make a plan Invest your creativity in figures Invest your mind in assumptions Invest your (intern s) time in the boring documents Be thorough in the budget planning Good luck with the application! 25

25 Discussion session Any questions? What was the hardest thing in preparing a new application? Major take-aways? Could a larger cooperation between public authorities and private suppliers increase sustainability of projects?

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